By: CBS News
Scientists have found a giant tortoise on the Galápagos Islands from a species thought to have gone extinct more than 100 years ago.
Genetic tests match the single female tortoise to the species Chelonoidis phantasticus, Ecuador s Ministry of the Environment and Water confirmed Tuesday. A team of geneticists from Yale University compared samples from the female to the remains of a male to make the connection.
Scientists hadn t spotted one of the tortoises since 1906. Populations of giant tortoises have been devastated by both hunting and volcanic eruptions. It was believed to have gone extinct more than 100 years ago! We have reconfirmed its existence, Environment Minister Gustavo Manrique tweeted. Hope is intact.
The Fiji Times » A turtle considered extinct 100 years ago in Galapagos is still in existence says Ecuador fijitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fijitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Ecuador confirmed on Tuesday that a giant tortoise found in 2019 in the Galapagos Islands is a species considered extinct a century ago. The Galapagos Nation